LR Energy is set to play a key role in helping to reduce the costs of offshore wind to levels comparable with other energy sources.

A new European FP7 project, LEANWIND(Logistic efficiencies and naval architecture for wind installations with novel developments), is a research project funded by the EU that seeks to address inefficiencies in logistics and transport issues for offshore wind installations. This will be achieved by looking at new ways to transport components, manage and organise ports efficiently, adapt fixed and floating turbine structures to aid installation and consider new technologies for wind farm maintenance.

The four year project was awarded to a consortium of 31 partners from 11 countries and is led by Beaufort Research in University College Cork (UCC) Ireland. This project received funding of €10 million from the European Commission and has a total value of €15 million.

As part of this project, LR Energy is leading a work package on novel vessels and equipment with the aim of identifying and tackling technical issues to achieve cost reduction in the installation and maintenance of offshore wind farms. Partner organisations along with ourselves, will be using design, numerical analysis and experimental testing to examine new or modified vessel designs and equipment innovations.

Rebecca Sykes, Marine Energy Leader, said: "We are pleased to be partnered with a number of stakeholders across the supply chain for this project including utilities, wind farm operators, service vessel builders, installation vessel operators, experimental testing facilities and research institutions. While the challenges of a new generation of energy supply are indeed immense, constantly having to identify new opportunities that better control costs and operational results and associated risk is paramount. It is a good step forward for the industry's future development."